The 6 Most Popular Shed Foundations – Reviewed

Making a strong start…

We think foundations are a very important part of your new shed. Why are foundations so important? THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS THE WALLS, and the walls support the roof of the shed. And the supported roof is why you are building a shed in the first place!

This makes choosing the right foundation important. If you get it wrong, you get a sloping shed which is ugly and sticks out like a sore thumb.

And besides, no one wants their beer to slide off the shelf in their shed. It's not a good look in front of the neighbors.

Foundations are also a pain in the butt to fix; it usually involves getting unnecessarily dirty. So IT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU WANT TO DO TWICE.

Because it’s so vital, to make deciding easy we’ve sorted shed foundations by what’s important.

This way your shed will stand the test of time… upright.

Bad foundations are good as a tourist attraction, but not for your shed

Flat Ground

Why not just stick it straight on the ground?

Although it is definitely the quickest and cheapest option, sticking your shed straight on the dirt definitely has its cons.

Firstly the exposed dirt will make the things in your shed dirty, and WATER WILL ALSO SEEP THROUGH THE GROUND and make the dirt floor of your shed wet. This moisture will lead to rot and corrosion which will wear away at the shed over time.

Metal and plastic sheds that are put on the ground are typically fixed with metal stakes or tent pegs through the sidewalls of the shed. The longer the anchor, the better the stability of it.

FABRIC SHEDS ARE DESIGNED TO SIT ON DIRT and come with all the necessary anchors. The fabric construction is forgiving of movement whereas more rigid materials (wood, metal, plastic) are not.

Overall

Because the uneven nature of typical yards, putting a shed straight on the ground can affect how the panels fit together, and how the doors and windows work. This ultimately LEADS TO A SHORTER LIFE FOR YOUR SHED

PROS

CONS

Quickest option

Shed will corrode and rot

Cheapest option

Expect grass and weeds

Doors wont work properly

Gravel

Looking for low cost and easy to do?

Gravel is an easy solution for a shed base, and works well with small to medium sized storage sheds, particularly metal, plastic and fabric ones. If you have all the materials THE PROCESS SHOULDN'T TAKE MORE THAN 2 HOURS (depending on the size of your shed.)

All you need to do is dig a hole the same footprint as your shed, and around 3 to 4 inches deep. Then pour the gravel or crushed rock in. As you pour the gravel in, you will want to keep pressing it down by stepping on it or using something heavy to apply that downward pressure.

You can attach your shed directly to the gravel with pegs or auger anchors (the longer the better). This is definitely the easier option, although gravel bases also provide support with other foundations, such as a wooden frame, or concrete slab.

Overall

MUCH BETTER THAN STRAIGHT GROUND, but also does have its disadvantages.

PROS

CONS

Low cost

Can make equipment dirty

Easy to do

Gets quite cold

Provides a stable flat surface

Can get wet inside

Kit from manufacturer

Already thought out for you…

Some sheds can be built with a supplied (or added extra) foundation kit. These kits can go on gravel, but typically they get put straight on the ground.

The KITS DO NEED TO BE INSTALLED ON A FLAT, LEVEL SURFACE (so that the panels fit together and the doors work). They do work best on flat surfaces; altering these kits to a sloped surface can be hard work, harder than its worth.

If you are going to use a kit, be warned that you may have to purchase some added extras. Arrow sells a floor kit that requires you to provide the cut plywood for example, so if you’re on a budget, using a kit may cost more than its list price.

Kits (such as these) also come in many different sizes so pick the one that is right for your shed size.

Overall

An easy, tailored solution for your storage shed. IT SHOULD TAKE YOU ABOUT 2 HOURS TO ASSEMBLE YOUR KIT.

PROS

CONS

Specially made for your shed

Added extras

Cost effective

Needs level ground

Easy to assemble

Pavers

A great way to get a strong base, quick and cheap.

You can buy large pavers from hardware stores like Home Depot and Lowes. Once you have got everything you need, you can LAY YOUR PAVER FOUNDATION IN LESS THAN 2 HOURS.

All you need to do is put some gravel or brickies sand down and level off the area. Then place some plastic down to help waterproof your shed, then lay your pavers on top. To secure the shed, simply dyna-bolt the shed down to the pavers.

Pavers also prefer a gravel base, but can go straight on flat, level ground. Putting a layer of gravel down first will stop the pavers from sinking over time. Smaller pavers are more susceptible to sinking than larger pavers.

Overall

Pavers work best for smaller, storage type sheds. The benefit is that they keep your equipment off the dirt and they are very durable. ONCE THEY ARE DOWN, THEY WILL STAY DOWN.

Timber frame

The popular choice

An example of a timber frame on piers

Timber frame bases are quite popular for sheds. They are easy to put together, PROVIDE A STRONG PLATFORM, and are relatively easy to level.

Your frames must be made from lumber for outdoor use. Treated pine and cedar are two that come to mind. Once you have the correct lumber, BUILDING THE FRAME IS EASY. All you need to do is cut it to size, and screw it together.

Timber frames can sit straight on the ground, although it is not recommended. There are a 2 main ways that timber frames sit on the ground; Piers and Pavers.

An easier way to use piers to support your wooden frame

Piers

Piers are supports that are dug into the ground and set to a common, level height. The frame then sits above the ground.

To strengthen piers, you can concrete them into the ground. This helps spread the load and adds longevity to the foundation.

The big draw card for piers is that the shed is above the ground so it is kept dry at all times. It can however, take a little time to set up the piers properly. But per square foot it is a cheaper option than a concrete slab.

Pavers

Pavers can be used to level up a shed and work quite well. They can be a cheap solution, especially when you have some lying around the yard. They are a quicker and easier solution than piers, and can be moved later. The downside is that it is hard to fix the frame to the pavers.

Overall

Timber frames are a very popular way of supporting a shed. They are STRONG, GOOD VALUE, AND RELATIVELY EASY TO ASSEMBLE.

PROS

CONS

Strong foundation

Piers are time and money intensive

Easy to build

Pavers are hard to secure to the ground

Durable if right lumber is used

Concrete SlabStrong, flat and level…

Concrete is a strong, flat base for a shed. Its weight also helps KEEP THE SHED SECURED TO THE GROUND.

It is commonly used for houses, factories and large warehouses. It is good to work on and provides a strong base to attach the shed walls and anything else you want to.

If you are thinking of using a concrete foundation then you will have to plan it ahead of time. Concrete takes at least a month to fully set, although it will be ready to work on after 5-7 days.

You can do it yourself, although a landscaper, builder or concreters experience will help. We recommend that you will use 25Mpa concrete with some steel reinforcing mesh to help hold it together. Start to finish (not including drying time) WILL TAKE YOU AROUND 4 – 6 HOURS.

Overall

In our opinion, THE BEST FOUNDATION FOR ANY SHED, provided you have the time and funds.

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